James a



(No Model.)

J. A. MAHOOD, RAILWAY GAR AXLB.

No. 548,567. Patented O01:l 22, 1895.

j 2 INVENTOR WITNESSES:

ATTURNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

JAMES A. MAI-100D, OF VICTORIA, CANADA.

RAI LWAY-CAR AX LE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,567, dated October 22, 1895.

. Application filed March l, 1895. Seria] No.540,206. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. MAHOOD', a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing in Victoria, Province of British Columbia, Dominion oi Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railway- Gar Axles, of which the following is a speciiication.

My present invention relates to improvements in sectional car-axles-such as shown f 1n my Patent No. 441,014, granted November 18, 1890--in which each wheel of a pair is attached to an independently-movable section of a divided axle, so as to enable the wheels running on the outside rail of a curve to travel faster than those on the inner rail and accomplish the greater circumference in the same time, and thus prevent the sliding and jumping ot' the outside wheels and remove the risk of breaking axles from torsional strain.

In my patent above referred to the inner ends of the axle-sections are held in position by a stationary coupling-yoke engaging grooves in the axle-sections, while the friction is taken up by a single bearing which overlaps and supports the inner bearing ends. After carefully testing sectional axles I nd that this structure is objectionable, in that there is constantly more or less friction between the axle-sections and the stationary coupling-yoke while the cars are in motion, and it is the main object of my present invention lto obviate this objection.

To this end my present invention consists of a transversely-divided caraxle having grooves in the inner ends of the sections, a coupling engaging the grooved ends and adapted to hold them together to form a continuous axle and to revolve with the axle and allow the sections to revolve independently, and a journal-box spanning the coupling and provided with bearings for the axle-sections on each side of the coupling. The bearingfaces of the axle-sections are formed with flanges for engaging the bearing-brasses and keeping them in position. Two doors are provided for the journal-box to afford ready access to each bearing.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings,

axle-box la and is supported at its inner end in a manner peculiar to my invention. The axle-sections l are each turned down to form the collars 2 at their innerends to receivel the jaws 3 of the two-part coupling-yolres 4, by means of which the axle-sections are fastened together in pairs to form complete axles.

The coupling-yokes 4 are clamped together by means of bolts provided with proper heads and nuts, the nuts being prevented from slipping oft by split keys. The axle-sec tions are held from longitudinal separation and getting out of alignment, and should there be a slight space between the sections it is preferably taken up by a steel Washer, such as 6. It is preferable to have the coupling rigidly clamped to one axlesection and loosely inclose the other section to allow free independentrotation of both sections. Sufficient space for the passage of oil from the surrounding journal-box into the coupling should also be provided. The axle-sections are also turned down to form the bearingsurfaces 7, having fianges 8. These bearingsurfaces 7 work in contact with the bearingbrasses 9, supported against the wedges l0 in the upper sections ll of the sectional journal and grease boxes. The customary stops or lugs for holding the wedges and brasses are provided in the upper section 11 of the journal-box.

The sectional journalbox spans the coup ling 4 and bearings 7, the upper and lower sections l1 and l2 being secured together by the bolts 13, which pass through integral lugs 14. The hinged covers l5 afford access to the bearings 7, so that the brasses can be readily changed and grease can be applied to the bearings.

IDO

v1.6 are dust-guards for the ends of the journal-box.

The complete journal-boxes are rigidly attached to the tie-frame 18, which is secured to the transorns 17.

My improved structure enables a car to run smoothly around sharp curves, reduces the power necessary to pull, prevents breaking from torsional strain, and .reduces the friction in every way.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a transversely divided car axle, a two-part coupling yoke engaging groovesin the adjacent ends of the axle sections and adapted to revolve with the axle and allow each section to revolve independently, and a bearing box spanning the coupling yoke and having bearings for both sections of the axle, substantially as and tor the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of a transversely divided car axle, anged bearing faces on said axle sections, a sectional journal box inclosing the divided ends of the axle and provided with a pair of bearings against which the bearing faces of the axles work, the anges of the bearing faces keeping the bearings in place, and a coupling holding the axle sections together and adapted to revolve with the axle and allow each section of the axle to revolve separately, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination of a transversely divided car axle, a two-part coupling yoke engaging grooves in the adjacent ends of the axle sections, iianged bearing faces adjacent to the inner ends of said axle sections, a sectional journal box spanning the coupling yoke and provided with a pair of bearings `against which the bearing faces of the axle 

